System, method, and program product for digital production management

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and program products for managing digital production from one or more production devices with one or more sources providing inputs of production designs and/or production options are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/172,449, filed on Feb. 4, 2014, which claims benefit to U.S. Ser. No.61/849,977, filed on Feb. 4, 2013. The contents of the above-referencedapplications are expressly incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to management of digitalproduction. Specifically, it relates to digital rights management,dynamic monitoring, and product authentication for digital production.

BACKGROUND

The process of moving from (1) guiding blueprints used by fabricators to(2) tool devices with high skill to (3) automatically executablemanufacturing design files has begun and will continue. This DigitalManufacturing wave will lead many rights holders to wonder what willhappen should the design files fall into the wrong hands. Automaticexecution means that anybody can take a design and produce the intendedobject without high skill levels previously required. A level ofprotection of the design files, coupled with a process to ensure qualityand authenticated objects is required in such a setting.

RELATED ART

The current art discloses authentication as described above, but thereis a need in the art for authentication, dynamic monitoring, validation,identification and other inventions to all for open and wide spread useof digital manufacturing. U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,236 (Jung et. al.)discloses a manufacturing control system for additive manufacturing, atype of digital production, which includes confirming an authorizationcode is associated with the object design file, as described below. Inaddition, a significant portion of the current art that addressesadditive manufacturing addresses narrow production modes, such as U.S.Pat. No. 7,957,824 (Boronvinskih et. al.), which addresses and claimsspecifically the field of dental items. Hence there is a need, and anopportunity, for technologies and platforms to unify and consolidatedigital manufacturing.

In another vein, 3-D object identification (for example US PatentPublication 2002/0048396 (Bewley et. al.) systems are present in theart, but the field of 3-D object authentication, specifically, is stillnascent, and there is a need for authentication (instead of mereidentification) systems and methods to enable 3-D production commerce toflourish. The current art also contains digital authentication withreference external to the client (e.g., a time trusted externalreference). For example, US Patent Publication 2002/0048396 (Stohwig et.al.). Application of such authentication to digital production and 3-Dmanufactured objects has complex and unique needs that the currentinvention addresses.

Other literature in the current art addresses specific aspects of 3-Dprinting (a form of digital production), such as 3-D model inconsistencycorrection (U.S. Pat. No. 8,175,734 (Forel et. al.)) and datainterpolation (U.S. Pat. No. 7,917,243 (Kozlak et. al.)) The literaturegenerally does not show an overarching and coherent approach to digitalproduction and 3-D printing software infrastructure and management asdisclosed in the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,236 (Jung et. al.) covers a broad array of“authorization” measures for manufacturing based on a data file—so thescope reaches even beyond additive manufacturing to production methodslike extrusion, ejection, stamping, die casting, printing, painting, andtattooing and with materials that include “skin, textiles, ediblesubstances, paper, and silicon printing.” This patent only details theprocess of authorizing & delivering files to the production device anddoesn't address production monitoring or end object authentication.Additionally, the Intellectual Ventures patent proposes associating anauthorization code with every object data file. According to the patent,every manufacturing device is to be adapted to receive thisauthentication code and permitting it to interface with the objectdesign file only when it does so. This is represents an entirelydifferent process to the digital authentication process described in thepresent application, which only delivers parts of the object design fileto the manufacturing device at a time upon request for the file. U.S.Pat. No. 8,286,236 essentially proposes embedding in the device a lockeddoor that every file to be produced needs a key to, rather than offeringa parallel doorway that only certain files need a key to, as in thepresent invention.

SUMMARY

Systems, methods, and program products for managing digital productionfrom one or more production devices with one or more sources providinginputs of production designs and/or production options are disclosed.

In embodiments, a system for digital production comprising can comprisea digital production device, which can be a device for manufacturing athree-dimensional object. The system can further comprise a digitalproduction management platform, which may have at least one or moreprocessor and non-transitory computer-readable memory. The digitalproduction management platform may be configured to receive a first datastream comprising an object design file. The production managementplatform may be further configured to transmit a second data stream toat least one of the one or more production devices, the second datastream comprising at least portions of an object design file. Theproduction management platform may be configured to receive a feedbackdata stream from the one or more production devices comprising at leastdigital production status data.

In embodiments, the digital production system may receive and/ortransmit data along the first data stream, the second data stream,and/or the feedback data stream.

In embodiments, the digital production device may be at least any of anadditive printing device, a subtractive milling device, a CNC machiningdevice, or a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (“DNA”) printing device.

In embodiments, the data streams can comprise discrete packets of datatransmitted non-continuously.

In embodiments, the first data stream may originate from one or moreuser electronic device or computer.

In embodiments, the digital production management platform may beconfigured to determine a buffer size for the second data stream basedat least in part upon any of a production device speed, an object designfile size, a duration of a period of time to establish an initialconnection with a production device, or a production device downloadspeed.

In embodiments, the portions of the object design file may betransmitted as encrypted files.

In embodiments, the digital production management platform may beconfigured to transmit a portion of the object design file to at leastone of the one or more production devices only when no other portion ofthe object design file is stored in computer-readable memory of thedigital production device.

In embodiments, the second data stream can transmit productioninstructions, such as production device settings, production quantity,production material requirements, production tolerance requirements,and/or production timetable, to name a few.

In embodiments, the feedback data stream can be transmitted from any ofone or more production device, sensor device, reader device, computer,user electronic device, and/or database.

In embodiments, the digital production management platform may beconfigured to receive an object design file that is not anon-three-dimensional printable file and convert it automatically into athree-dimensional printable file. A non-three-dimensional printable filemay be a computer aided design (“CAD”) file.

In embodiments, the digital production management platform may beconfigured to generate a digital watermark to be inserted into theobject design file.

In embodiments, the digital production management platform may beconfigured to insert a physical watermark design into the object designfile.

In embodiments, the physical watermark may comprise any of raisedfeatures, indentations, or combinations thereof.

In embodiments, the physical watermark may be designed to protectagainst unauthorized copying of a produced object.

In embodiments, the system for digital production can further comprise areading device configured to detect physical design elements of athree-dimensional object.

In embodiments, a reading device may be configured to authenticate anobject after its production by comparing detected physical designelements to expected physical design elements. In embodiments, thephysical design elements may be compared based at least in part upon anyof design structure, material, or surface features.

In embodiments, a reading device may be configured to detect aproprietary physical watermark inserted by the production managementplatform or an owner of an object design file.

In embodiments, the system for digital production can further comprise asensor device configured to detect an environmental condition. Inembodiments, environmental conditions may be any of seismic activity,temperature, humidity, or pollution.

In embodiments, feedback data can include at least any of productionduration, production device connection quality, production errors,authenticity data, environmental conditions, or production devicesettings.

In embodiments, a system for digital production can include a pluralityof digital production devices for manufacturing three-dimensionalobjects and a digital production management platform comprising at leastone or more processor and non-transitory computer-readable memory. Thedigital production management platform can be connected to at least someof the plurality of digital production devices via a data network, suchas the Internet. The digital production management platform may beconfigured to receive a first data stream comprising an object designfile. The platform may be configured to transmit a second data stream toat least one of the one or more production devices, the second datastream comprising at least portions of an object design file. Theplatform may be further configured to receive a feedback data streamfrom the one or more production devices comprising at least digitalproduction status data.

In embodiments, the digital production system may receive and/ortransmit data along the first data stream, the second data stream,and/or the feedback data stream.

In embodiments, the production management platform may be configured toconvert data from the feedback data streams from a plurality ofproduction devices into a common format.

In embodiments, the production management platform may perform the stepsof receiving, at the production management platform from one or morecomputers, an object design file; determining, by the productionmanagement platform, compatibility of the object design file with one ormore production devices; determining, by the production managementplatform, suitable production device settings for a selected productiondevice; transmitting, from the production management platform to theselected production device, the determined production device settings;and transmitting, from the production management platform to theselected production device, at least portions of the processed objectdesign file.

In embodiments, the production management platform may further performthe step of processing, by the production management platform, theobject design file to ensure compatibility with the selected productiondevice.

In embodiments, the production management platform may further performthe step of processing, by the production management platform, theobject design file to reduce the likelihood of production errors.

In embodiments, processing the object design file can includeidentifying, by the production management platform, object designcharacteristics; ascertaining, from a database of object designcharacteristics, similar historical object designs; and accessing, fromthe database of object design characteristics, historical productiondata from the production of the similar historical object designs.

In embodiments, processing the object design file can further includemodifying the object design file based at least in part upon thehistorical production data.

In embodiments, processing the object design file can further includemodifying the object design file based at least in part upon externaldata accessed or received from one or more databases.

In embodiments, processing the object design file can further includemodifying the object design file based at least in part upon additionaluser input, via an input device and/or via a user interface ofdownloadable software or a website.

In embodiments, the production management platform may further performthe step of storing, by the production management platform in one ormore databases, object design file data comprising the object designfile, any modifications performed thereto through processing, andproduction feedback data received from the feedback data stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described withreferences to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 (100) illustrates the Overall Flow of the Object File and theObject between the original Design Owner(s) and the End Consunner(s) ofthe object.

FIG. 2 (200) illustrates the Overall System Architecture where allinformation is centrally held on the system's Platform.

FIG. 3 (300) illustrates an alternative Overall System Architecturewhere most information is retained and held by the Design Owner(s).

FIG. 4A (400) illustrates the Data Readiness Module process thatverifies if a given Object Design File from the original DesignOwners(s) is in the proper form to be produced by the Production Deviceand then takes action to modify the file if it is not.

FIG. 4B (400) illustrates the Data Readiness Module process thatverifies if a given Object Design File from the original DesignOwners(s) is in the proper form to be produced by the Production Deviceand then takes action to modify the file if it is not.

FIG. 5A (500) illustrates the Order Progress Module method taken by theOwner of the Production Device to obtain an Object Production File fromthe System Platform.

FIG. 5B (500) illustrates the Order Progress Module method taken by theOwner of the Production Device to obtain an Object Production File fromthe System Platform.

FIG. 5C (500) illustrates the Order Progress Module method taken by theOwner of the Production Device to obtain an Object Production File fromthe System Platform.

FIG. 5D (500) illustrates the Order Progress Module method taken by theOwner of the Production Device to obtain an Object Production File fromthe System Platform.

FIG. 6 (600) illustrates the Production Data Monitoring (PDM) Modulemethod of delivering the Object Production File from the System Platformto the Production Device and of remotely monitoring production of thesubsequent object in order to detect unauthorized actions.

FIG. 6B (600) illustrates the Production Data Monitoring (PDM) Modulemethod of delivering the Object Production File from the System Platformto the Production Device and of remotely monitoring production of thesubsequent object in order to detect unauthorized actions.

FIG. 6C (600) illustrates the Production Data Monitoring (PDM) Modulemethod of delivering the Object Production File from the System Platformto the Production Device and of remotely monitoring production of thesubsequent object in order to detect unauthorized actions.

FIG. 7 (700) illustrates the overall Authentication Module method takenby the Reader Device and System Platform to detect object propertiesafter the Object is produced and then to verify the object'sauthenticity.

FIG. 7A (700 a) illustrates the Reader Module method portion of theAuthentication Module method.

FIG. 7B (700 b) illustrates the Scanning Module method portion of theAuthentication Module method.

FIG. 7C (700 c) illustrates the Signature Reader Module method portionof the Authentication Module method.

FIG. 8 (800) illustrates the Send & Receive Module method that existsbetween the System Platform and relevant hardware, the Reader Device,Sensor Device, and Production Device, to securely send object-specific,device-specific, and platform-specific information between theseparties.

FIG. 8A (800 a) illustrates the Reader Send & Receive Module method thatis a specific sub-module of the Send & Receive Module method.

FIG. 8B (800 b) illustrates a preferred embodiment of the Sensor Send &Receive Module method.

FIG. 8C (800 c) illustrates a preferred embodiment of the ProductionDevice (PD) Send & Receive Module method.

FIG. 8D (800 d) illustrates a preferred embodiment of the SystemPlatform (SP) Send & Receive Module method.

FIG. 9 (900) illustrates the Reader Device that is utilized to detectobject properties after the object is produced and verify the object'sauthenticity.

FIG. 10 (1000) illustrates the Sensor Device that is used to monitor theproduction of Object(s) by measuring internal and externaldevice-specific and environment-specific properties.

FIG. 11 (1100) is a legend of elements in the other figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to systems, methods, and programproducts for managing digital production from one or more productiondevices with one or more sources providing inputs of production designsand/or production options.

The disclosed invention discloses novel features related to digitalmanufacturing and/or other digital production. Digital manufacturingincludes, but is not limited to additive manufacturing,three-dimensional (“3-D”) printing, computer numerical control (“CNC”)milling or machining, and any other kind of production involvingproduction of a solid object, of any shape, from a digital model (fileor files). Digital production is generally achieved using an additiveprocess, where successive layers of material are laid down in differentshapes, and in some cases, a subtractive process, where layers areremoved. A variety of digital production devices may perform suchdigital production operations (e.g., 3-D printers, milling machines,and/or computer-controlled lathes, to name a few).

Although discussed with respect to physical output, in embodiments, thedigital production systems and methods described herein can be appliedto non-physical output or microscopic output, such as the production ofDNA structures and other chemical or biological compositions ofnon-naturally occurring forms by production devices capable of producingsuch output. In such cases, applications of the invention can include,for instance, facilitation, monitoring, and/or protection of theproduction of medicines and/or other goods in the home or in locationsclose to patients in the same way the invention could be used, forinstance, to facilitate, monitor and/or protect the production ofphysical objects in homes and workshops.

The invention discloses a digital production management platform, whichmay be operatively connected (e.g., through a data network such as theInternet) to one or more production device, to one or more computer, toone or more user electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, PDA, tabletcomputer, to name a few), to one or more other device (e.g., a readerdevice or sensor device, to name a few), and/or to one or more database.The digital production management platform can comprise at least one ormore processor and non-transitory computer-readable memory. The platformcan be distributed on multiple processors and/or multiple computers. Theplatform may be created through software distributed to the one or morecomputers participating in a digital production system. In embodiments,the platform can include one or more centralized servers. Inembodiments, the platform can be one or more servers accessed throughdownloadable software or websites.

The digital production management platform can receive or be configuredto receive input data streams that include one or more object designfiles. The platform can receive or be configured to receive additionalinput data streams, which may contain data related to digital productionoptions. The platform can also receive or be configured to receivefeedback data streams, which may originate from production devices,reader devices, sensor devices, and/or computers or other userelectronic devices associated with digital production devices or theiroperators, to name a few. The platform can communicate, which mayinclude transmitting data, to at least any of the foregoing entities ordevices. Accordingly, the platform can transmit one or more data streamsto one or more production devices, which one or more data streams cancomprise any of an object design file, portions of an object designfile, digital production instructions, digital production criteria orguidelines (e.g., deadline information), to name a few. In embodiments,the platform can relay, route, and/or provide routing instructions tocoordinate data streams or transmissions among participants or devicesin the system.

Feedback data may be based at least in part upon historical data, testdata, and/or data provided from external sources or repositories, any ofwhich may be stored in and/or accessed from one or more database. Asdescribed herein, a digital production management platform can receivefeedback data, which can include digital production status data,production analysis data, such as production quality data, to name afew. For example, feedback data from internal sensors for a 3-D printermay indicate print head position, print head temperature, bedtemperature, and/or laser temperature, to name a few. Feedback data maybe measured, processed and/or derived by the platform at least in partfrom incoming data. For example, the platform may determine a productiondevice's response time or processing time for commands transmitted bythe platform to the production device. The platform can receive feedbackdata from external sensors, which may detect seismic or otherenvironmental conditions, material quality, to name a few. Feedback fromreading devices, scanners, and/or sensors, can include data aboutproduction quality. Other feedback data may be received from externaldatabases, such as databases of environmental conditions. Environmentalconditions can include meteorological conditions, such as humidity,ambient temperature, and/or wind speed, and/or geological conditions,such as seismic measurements, to name a few. Various exemplary instancesof the receipt of and use of feedback data by the platform are discussedherein.

The invention provides for secure transmission of object design files,including receipt and transmission of object design files from designersand intellectual property owners to a manufacturing device by method ofstreaming data without storing data on an intermediary device. Theinvention also allows for secure data transmission by sending onlypartial object design files for processing, ensuring that the objectdesign file portion is not copied or used for any other, unauthorizeduse. Object design files include, but are not limited to, any kind ofdata file that contains information for digital production. Instead ofan object design file, the invention could also use an object data file,an object production file, or any other file representing some digitalmanifestation of part of all of a production (3-D) object. Object datafile and object design file are used as separate terms below, but thenomenclature of such files can overlap in various embodiments of theinvention.

The invention is compatible with standards and file types of the currentart in digital production, such, but not limited to, the AdditiveManufacturing File Format (AMF) and Standard Tessellation Language(STL), for example. The invention can be adapted to other object designand object data files standards, and also discloses features that canserve as the basis for future file standards.

The invention also provides for ensuring the partial object design fileis removed in its entirety from the device before sending the nextportion for further processing. In embodiments, a digital productionmanagement platform may only transmit a successive portion of an objectdesign file to a production device after detecting the absence of aprior portion or any portion of the object design file on the productiondevice or after receiving a confirmation of removal of a prior portionor all stored portions of the object design file.

Standard encryption protocols can be used as part of the invention. Theinvention also provides for establishing secure remote connections thatare protected from any outside interference and maintaining constanttraffic flow through the Internet. This can be achieved by preventingother software on the same device or network from accessing the Internetwhen speeds fall under a pre-determined minimum level.

The invention also provides a multi-use database where it creates ahistory for each object design file. History information, includes, butis not limited to, production data, materials used, environmentalfactors, machine states at time of production, post-productionmanipulation, and transportation information. The invention alsoprovides automatic identification of image ontology or other metadataand then integrates this information into an ontological mapping of theobject which is then stored as part of the object's history. Such objectinformation (general object design features, correspondingcharacteristics identified during the creation of the object designfile, as well as required object features, additional metadata,including its ontology) can alternatively be entered manually into thedatabase of the invention.

The invention provides for comparing entries in the multi-use databaseto all new object design files being created in order to determine newobject design features more rapidly and with increased specificity. Theinvention also provides for comparing entries in the multi-use databaseto all new object design files being created in order to determinewhether the design is already registered. The invention can also compareobject files with unique digital and/or physical signatures (materialand design features integrated into the object design file) toauthenticate scanned objects.

The invention also provides for searching of the multi-use database,allowing authorized parties to utilize both design and non-design datacriteria associated with the object design file, such as, but notlimited to name, designer name, tags, item number, and color. Thedatabases can be secured by encryption or otherwise with unique accesscodes and access logging for every user. For example, users may accessdatabases and/or software associated with a digital productionmanagement platform using an email address, login name, password, pinnumber, and/or biometric scans (e.g., thumbprint), to name a few. Accesstokens may be employed as part of a secure access system.

The invention also discloses novel features such as, but not limited to,provisions for converting other file types into object design filescompatible with the invention, integrating data manufacturing practices(such as material and color) into the object design file, and validatingthe object design file as capable of supporting the intended producedobject.

The invention also provides for object resizing, reconfiguration andoptimization. It allows for dynamic changes and assessment andcharacterization of actual object features such as compression strengthand other physical characteristics. The invention also provides forslicing of the object design file into smaller files that can produceparts of an object on their own. The invention allows these processes,and others mentioned herein, to be undertaken in a continuous process,which contrasts to the current fragmented ecosystem, which requiresusers to install and use multiple separate products in order to completesimilar objectives. In embodiments, all digital production managementmay be performed via a single digital production management platform,which can manage, centralize, and/or streamline a plurality of digitalproduction steps.

The invention also provides object design file owners or othersauthorized by the design file owners, up-to-date information regardingstatus of designs and/or production. The database can be queried for allthe following features, among others: [0081] Information of eachdownload [0082] Payment details for each download [0083] Status of eachprint of pieces uploaded by them [0084] Authentications applied (topieces found to be accurate) [0085] Ability to edit previously enteredinformation [0086] Potential intellectual property breach

Such information can be provided to object design file owners or othersauthorized by the design file owners, and authentication, validation andquery rights can be so distributed. While the first two in the listwould typically be the only information distributed to the non-designowners, this system can be customized as desired.

On the customer/payee side, the invention can provide object design filepurchasers with the following features, among other info, also queriedfrom a database: [0089] Status of each purchase [0090] Invoice [0091]Payment receipt [0092] Order History [0093] Full TraceabilityDocumentation, including technical information about design, strengthand composition

The invention also allows for amendment to access codes, security,payment, pricing, and any other settings that may affect the objectdesign file.

The invention also provides for a dynamic updating and monitoring ofproduction, so that production parameters can be changed or productioncan be halted, e.g., based on error parameters. The invention allows formonitoring of environmental and other local factors during theproduction process and report the same to the database created (seedatabase description above). It also allows for monitoring of productionand machine state information during the production process and reportthe same to the database created under point (see database descriptionabove). The reported information is utilized to make decisions onproduction and ensure authorized, proper production occurs.

The invention provides for unique and novel means of authentication thatallow for non-restrictive means of controlling intellectual property andfor crediting and administering intellectual property rights. Theinvention includes the ability to identify any owners or contributors tothe object design file as well as their contribution to the creation anddistribution thereof in order to associate a full hierarchy of ownershipto the object design files. Accordingly, a digital production managementplatform in accordance with the present invention may be used toallocate intellectual property or other ownership rights and/ordetermine shares of payment.

The invention also allows for deployment of a test object design filethat can be used before purchase to influence this decision. Forauthentication means within the produced object itself, the inventioncan identify and alter layer material composition of the object withinthe required limits of object features to provide additional security.This includes inserting unique identifiers employing techniques such aswatermarking or steganography for each of the layers created or some ofthe layers. Such watermarks, which cannot be copied by external parties,may also be used to cloak the object and thus make it impossible to scanthe entire object. This could disable any attempt to copy the functionalobject. A digital production management platform of the presentinvention may insert a watermark that cannot be detected or easilydetected without pre-existing knowledge of where or how to detect thewatermark. Such a watermark may be inserted at an atypical angle orposition in an object, which may shield it from non-specialized scanningdevices or may make a scan of a sufficient resolution unattainable.Accordingly, only authorized scanning devices may be provided withinstructions for detecting a watermark.

While recording information regarding the machine state, local andenvironmental factors during production process, the invention cancompare this information to expected states over the same time period inorder to create a library of expected production states and create alibrary of produced objects qualities The invention can also create afinal, unique, encrypted authenticating layer, which is only issued ifall information received is as expected. Note that creation of any ofsuch authentication layer can be done dynamically, as the production iscarried out.

The invention also includes specific hardware. Such hardware can scanobjects and identify high-fidelity object features (some invisible tohuman senses) that have been integrated into the object design file forpurposes of authentication, using a unique command scheme specific tothe user to extract. Additional hardware monitors environmental (e.g.,heat, humidity, motion, tremors) and other local factors to dynamicallyreport these parameters. Object purchasers may be install such hardwarein their production facility, or in the production machines themselvesto provide accurate production monitoring data.

Ancillary Applications for a Digital Production Management Platform

The invention provides for one or more applications that may beimplemented on top of or integrated as part of a system for managementof digital production devices. Such a system can comprise a digitalproduction management platform, which may be configured for remotemonitoring and control of digital production operations. The digitalproduction management platform may implement and/or integrate one ormore ancillary applications into the digital production process. Thedigital management platform may comprise one or more computers orcomputer systems, which may be physically separated and/or owned byseparate entities but connected through a data network. In embodiments,software or a website interface (e.g., accessible at a URL) may beemployed to enable computers to participate in a digital productionmanagement platform (e.g., by uploading design files, providingadditional digital production data, and/or receiving digital productionstatus or feedback data, to name a few). The digital productionmanagement platform may further comprise central servers to route,process, and/or store data.

Ancillary applications for digital production may provide at leastdistribution management of digitally produced objects or object designfiles, production management, production reporting, and/or digitalproduction analysis. To those ends, ancillary applications fordistribution management can include payment gateways, digital formatconversion, production restrictions, design access, export restrictionfiltering, and/or bidding platforms, to name a few. Ancillaryapplications for production management can perform slicing toolselection, crowdsourcing digital production device settings, submittingadditional data, automatic alerts (e.g., related to feedstock supply),queue and/or array management, bed layout, and/or floor management, toname a few. Ancillary applications for production reporting can includewatertight checking, printer compatibility evaluation, photogrammetry,remote quality assurance, certification, and/or indexing, to name a few.Ancillary applications for production analysis can involve customerinterfaces, production failure reporting, management information systemalerts, order tracking, post-production data collection, warrantymanagement, and/or read and/or write steganography, to name a few.

These applications may be implemented by computer code running on one ormore processor associated with a digital production management platform,as discussed herein. The applications may receive data from one or moreinput data stream from remote or local sources (e.g., computersassociated with object design owners, production devices, readingdevices, sensors, to name a few). The applications may output and/ortransmit data to a digital production device and/or one or more othercomputers or devices. In embodiments, input and/or output data streamsmay comprise packets of data or other discrete transmission and notnecessarily a continuous stream of data. Data streams may be receivedand/or transmitted via a data network, such as the Internet, via anintranet, via other wireless connections (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,digital cellular, PCS, CDPD, GPRS, CDMA2000, Ev-DO, HSPA, UMTS, orsatellite, to name a few), via wired connections (e.g., POTS(telephone), fiber (such as Hybrid Fiber Coaxial), or xDSL, to name afew), and/or via direct upload (e.g., from a disc, hard drive, or USBdrive). Interface hardware and/or software may comprise Ethernetinterfaces (e.g., supporting a TCP/IP stack), X.25 interfaces, Tiinterfaces, and/or antennas, to name a few.

In embodiments, a digital production management platform can access oneor more external databases, which may include any data relating todigital production, such as material databases or production devicesettings, to name a few. Such external databases may be provided byproduction device manufacturers, production device retailers, onlineforums (e.g., 3-D printing blogs), production device owners oroperators, industry groups, and/or standards organizations, to name afew.

Payment gateways may be integrated into the platform to enable theautomatic calculation of the cost of production as well as handling ofthe billing, payment, and/or invoicing process for the end customer sothat the end customer may proceed to production of the object withouthaving to leave the production management platform.

Ancillary applications for digital format conversion can process anobject file or other design file and convert it into different formats,eliminating the need for a standardized input format or file type andenabling inputs from a multitude of software programs or systems (e.g.,various CAD software). A digital formatting application running on oneor more computers can receive an input design file from the input datastream. The file may be stored in non-transitory computer-readablememory comprising one or more databases. The one or more computers,using computer code comprising at least part of the formattingapplication, can identify the file type and determine compatibility withone or more digital production devices. Where there is a lack ofcompatibility or further compatibility or optimization is desired orrequired, the one or more computers may convert the design file intoanother file type and/or otherwise process the design file to produce afile with the proper production device compatibility. That new designfile (e.g., an object data file) may be transmitted to one or moreproduction devices for manufacturing. In embodiments, the determinationto convert to a different digital format may be based upon user input(e.g., using a keyboard or other input device), pre-definedcompatibility rules, knowledge of the destination or intended use,and/or computer analysis of the design file, object characteristics,and/or production device properties.

Digital format conversion applications can also include the conversionof feedback data received from digital production devices, for example,by automatically identifying what device or purpose the data is to beused for based on type of object produced, data use requirement,historical data use, to name a few. For example, the output of differentdigital production devices may be converted into a standardized formatthat can be read or input into other software platforms, such asenterprise resource planning software, or to better understand theoutput of various printers. Digital format conversion processes caninclude a comparison of the original file or data and the output file ordata in order to verify integrity of the conversion process.

Ancillary applications for production or print restrictions can restrictthe production of objects or can direct the production of objects tocertain production devices or facilities based upon various criteria.Processes for print restrictions can involve identifying, by one or morecomputers, production criteria as well as production device or facilitycharacteristics. Production criteria can include the type of objectbeing produced, the quantity being produced, the timeframe, the desiredcost, and/or customer (or other user) information and/or affiliations,to name a few. Production device or facility characteristics can includelocation characteristics, such as geographic location, certification(e.g., for compliance with International Organization forStandardization (“ISO”) standards, or certification from a particularcompany or industry group), membership in unions, trade groups, or otherorganizations, type of production device, training, certification ofmembership of production device manager or operator, and/or governmentapproval or restrictions. Production device or facility characteristicscan also include current conditions, such as production deviceavailability, production queue, and/or anticipated production time, toname a few. Knowledge of an intended destination for data may be used todetermine such location characteristics automatically. Suchcharacteristics and/or production criteria may be accessed from one ormore databases (e.g., of production device characteristics), fromproduction device operators, and/or from production devices. Processesfor print restrictions may then entail comparison, by one or morecomputers, of the criteria and characteristics required or requested bydesign owners and those available at production facilities or devices.According to the comparison results, the digital production managementplatform may permit the transfer of an object design file to a digitalproduction device, may direct the design file to a particular facilityor production device, may block production, may alter the design, and/ormay generate and/or issue separate or additional instructions (e.g., toa production device or a production device operator), to name a few. Inembodiments, the actions that may be taken can be influenced by success,failure, or other status reports of previous production attempts, whichmay be used to form rules for future production attempts. For example,if an object failed to print on a certain type of 3-D printer, thedesign may be edited during future printing attempts or may be blockedfrom printing on that same type of 3-D printer.

Ancillary applications for design access represent the application ofthe hierarchy system previously mentioned. The system can provide accessto designs, such as those submitted by third parties, while ensuringthat that third parties and/or any other interested parties are informedand/or compensated for the use of the design, if required. The partiesaccessing such designs may find an object or object design file in avariety of ways, which can include searches by keywords, two-dimensionalimages, categories, owner or designer information, identificationnumbers, and/or three-dimensional scans of associated or similarobjects, to name a few.

Ancillary applications for export restriction filtering may evaluatedesigns to determine whether they fall within government exportcontrols. The digital production management platform may index objectdesign files and store their characteristics (e.g., physicalcharacteristics) and/or any export restrictions in one or moredatabases. The platform may then compare files from the input datastream to the stored characteristics to determine whether similarobjects (e.g., similar physical shape) are export controlled. Inembodiments, metadata may be provided by a user to indicate the type ofobject in the input data stream, which metadata may be compared againstpublic law codes to determine whether there are any export restrictions.If so, the digital production management platform may provide an objectdesign owner or a buyer of an object design file with the appropriateregistrations and/or paperwork, which may be digital, and the platformmay provide guidance (e.g., step-by-step instructions) for completingsuch paperwork.

Ancillary applications for bidding platforms may provide a marketplaceor auction platform for object design owners to sell or license theirdesigns or design files or for object design owners to bid or pay foruse of a digital production device. In the latter case object designowners can bid on the ability to produce their objects using any of aplurality of crowdsourced production devices, which may be listed by thebidding platform. Accordingly, the bidding platform may store in one ormore databases a list of productions devices, which may include theircharacteristics and a database identifier. In embodiments, the biddingplatform may add production devices to the database automatically asthose devices are used in connection with the digital productionmanagement platform. The bidding platform may select production devicesto list based upon availability of the production device and/or currentproduction queue, to name a few. In embodiments, production deviceowners may add their device to the list. The bidding platform mayprovide an interface for users to input criteria to execute bidding ontheir behalf automatically. The platform may generate one or more rulesbased upon the input criteria and use the rules to control the automaticbidding for the corresponding users. The bidding platform may provide analternative method for directing production tasks to production devices.Data may be collected and/or analyzed regarding the types of productiondevices used and their degree of use (e.g., tracking the most used 3-Dprinters). Data may also be collected and/or analyzed regarding thetypes of objects being printed, as well as object design ownersatisfaction, print speed, and other parameters. Such data may be usedto improve the assignment of digital production tasks in a network ofdigital production devices.

Production management applications can include ancillary applicationsfor slicing tool selection. The digital production management platformmay select and/or optimize selection of a slicing tool, which selectionmay be based upon historical data regarding similar objects and/or anyfeedback data from their production. Accordingly, object characteristics(e.g., geometry), slicing tool usage data (e.g., which slicing tool wasused), and/or production device feedback data (e.g., whether there wereany production errors, whether re-slicing was required, whether theproduction was unsatisfactory, to name a few) may be stored in one ormore databases. Computer code running on one or more processors mayevaluate the instant object design file and compare it to similar designfiles or similar object designs in the database in order to determine asuitable slicing tool or the optimal slicing tool.

Ancillary applications for production device (e.g., printer) settingsmay entail automatic generation of appropriate production devicesettings based on publically available data and/or historicallygenerated data regarding the production device model stored in one ormore databases. Historically generated data can include historical datathe production management platform has logged relating to the correctsettings for various production device models, as well as historicaldata the production management platform has logged on the modificationto the correct settings for a given production device model, e.g., basedon the type of object being produced. In this regard, historicalproduction device feedback data may be stored along with the productiondevice model and settings. Specialized computer code may access therelevant databases and determine appropriate production device settings.In addition to the production device model information, the computercode may use as inputs at least the type of object being produced and/orany environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature) that may affectproduction. Production device settings can thus be crowdsourced fromdifferent databases of printer settings that can be accessed through adata network. In embodiments, a production device owner or operator mayinput the production device model information into a softwareapplication (e.g., a website user interface or downloadable software)associated with the production management platform in order to receiveor automatically configure the printer with the correct settings. Theplatform can thus enable a streamlined production process where aproduction device owner need only input the production device data (eventhis data may be uploaded automatically upon connecting the productiondevice to a data network) as well as an object design file, from whichthe platform can determine suitable settings, which may be implementedvia automated remote control of the production device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the digital production management platformis tasked with 3-D printing a design of a doorknob on a particular 3-Dprinter model. In order for the invention to specify the correctsettings for the printer, such as correct diameter of injection head,and for the object, such as the correct slicing size (which may be thenumber of layers into which the object design is divided for printingand which may depend on the particular 3-D printer), the platform canfirst access and analyze publically available information, e.g., from apublic database of printer settings, from a website associated with theproduction device manufacturer, from retailer websites, and/or from 3-Dprinting blogs, to name a few. The platform may then access and analyzepreviously generated and stored historical data regarding the optimalsettings for the particular production device when making doorknobs ordoor handles. Those settings may be transmitted to the 3-D printeroperator and/or may be implemented directly at the 3-D printer.

Ancillary applications for additional data submission may accessadditional information related to production of a specific object typeor design file type or use of a particular production device. Theplatform may obtain or predict (e.g., based on historical data from theproduction of similar objects or based on information about the clientor user, such as industry or field of work, to name a few) the type ofproduction device to use. The platform may then identify the informationrequired by that production device. The production device requiredinformation may be obtained via a user's input or from previousproductions, among others. From there the platform can compare the inputobject design file, which may be uploaded by the user, to the productiondevice characteristics, which may be accessed from one or moredatabases, in order to determine whether additional information isrequired. For example, if the production device is a full-colorproduction device and the object design file is black and white, colorinformation may be required. If the production device performs automaticpost-processing, the additional information may relate to the type ofpost processing that may be required. The platform may then predict therequired information (e.g., based on previous productions, derived fromsimilar previous productions, or input from the manufacturer, to name afew. The platform may then transmit the predicted information to theuser for verification or require manual input from the user during anorder workflow. The platform may communicate any additional informationto the production device or the device manager in an understandableform.

Ancillary applications for automatic feedstock alerts can providenotifications to production device systems, owners, and/or operatorswhen the production feedstock is low. In addition to alerts, theplatform may provide automatic feedstock fulfillment. Feedstock can be3-D printer resin or raw printing material. For production devices usedonly in conjunction with the digital production management platform, theplatform can track production and estimate feedstock usage. Feedstockinventory may be input into one or more databases and/or updatedperiodically. Based upon the starting feedstock quantity and the amountof production, a current inventory estimate may be computed. Inventoryupdates can allow feedstock notifications even for production devicesthat are not used exclusively with the production management platform. Aproduction device owner may also input or a production device mayautomatically submit data on production jobs not performed through theplatform, which may be used to estimate feedstock usage. The platformcan generate and/or transmit alerts to a production device owner oroperator when feedstock is low. The platform can provide an automaticfulfillment service by ordering feedstock with enough lead time for thefeedstock to be ready when the production device runs out. In thisregard, the platform may consider upcoming production tasks (e.g., if alarge job is scheduled) and order sufficient feedstock accordingly. Ifthe feedstock alert or ordering system performs incorrectly (e.g.,provides alerts when adequate feedstock is still available, does notprovide alerts when feedstock is depleted, or orders incorrectquantities or materials, to name a few) and as a result the productiondevice owner or operator interferes, the platform can track the errorsand any modifications made and utilize that information to improve itsfuture operation by employing programming for machine learning.

Ancillary applications for queue or array management may control digitalproduction workflow. In a system with a plurality of networkedproduction devices (e.g., crowdsourced through the digital productionmanagement platform of the current invention), the platform can usepre-defined rules as well as rules adapted over time to selectautomatically the optimal production device for a particular job. Aqueue or array management system can manage the assignment of work(e.g., directing the destination of the input object design file datastream) to a crowdsourced group of production devices or deviceoperators. A queue management system may consider a production device'scost, a production device's capable quality, a production device'sestimated production timing (e.g., considering the production device'sability as well as the current production queue), a level of qualityrequired for the job, a desired cost range, and/or a required timerange, to name a few. Such a system can utilize artificial intelligenceprogramming, including machine learning and/or intelligent systemdecision-making. The system can utilize feedback from the digitalproduction devices or operators (e.g., production speed, customersatisfaction) to improve production device selections in the future.

Ancillary applications for bed layout can perform and/or provideinstructions for the automatic adjustment of the object location withina production device. The platform can calculate and/or adjust suchpositioning in order to achieve the best possible and most efficientproduction and material use. The platform may perform such positioningor instructions therefor in relation to other objects that may bepresent (e.g., object produced at the same time in the same productiondevice or objects previously produced that have not yet been removedfrom the production device).

Ancillary applications for floor management can provide management ofthe flow of a production object through a production facility moreaccurately and efficiently based on data received from the productiondevice, providing additional data to the production device or productiondevice owner, and/or amending the object design to ensure itstraceability. For example, data received from the production device maybe generated into alerts to indicate that production is delayed or thatthe object has been produced. Additional information that may beprovided to a production device or device owner may, for example,indicate how to post process an object or identify storage locationsbased on material used for production. Amending the object design toenable traceability can include inserting identifiers into or onto theobject, e.g., through steganography, which link the physical object todigital information about the object stored in one or more database.Such digital information can include shipping information.

Ancillary applications for watertight checking can provide evaluation ofwhether a design is manifold and/or any corrections needed to achieve amanifold design. Specialized software running on one or more processorsof the digital production management platform can import the objectdesign file and perform the required evaluation. In embodiments, theplatform may determine whether any metadata associated with the designfile indicates that the design has already been evaluated and certifiedas manifold.

Ancillary applications for production device compatibility can verifywhether an object design file can be produced on a specific productiondevice. The platform can access a database of historical production datato determine whether the same or similar object design file typesexperienced production issues on similar production devices. Anexemplary production issue may be a physical void in a certain area ofthe object. Such issues may be detected using digital design filechecking methods. The platform can automatically make any neededcorrections based upon historical data of how past users manually fixedthe compatibility issues. The platform can flag a production job forhuman review (e.g., to verify printability of a 3-D object) and/orprovide an alert that review is needed before production proceeds.

Ancillary applications for photogrammetry can enable the production ofan object from unrelated data sets that may otherwise be judged not toinclude the information required to produce such an object. Forinstance, the digital production management platform can have theability to accept file types that represent two dimensional data. Theplatform can then use multiple such images to produce a single threedimensional design, which can then be forwarded automatically to theproduction machine. The platform may also use such two-dimensional datato identify three-dimensional or other data from within its own orthird-party databases and use this same data to create one or moredesigns with sufficient instructions for a production device to execute.

Ancillary applications for remote quality assurance can be employed todetect and/or determine whether an object has been produced correctly.The production management platform can compare feedback data receivedfrom the production device to expected feedback data (e.g., generatedfrom historical data, test data from labs, and/or by machine learning ofa variety of data sources, such as similar but not identical prints,meteorological data, and/or external sensor data, to name a few) todetermine whether the production was executed correctly. Feedback datacan include sensor data. Specialized sensors may be employed to makeaccurate measurements for comparison to the design or to analyze thephysical object for satisfaction of acceptable tolerances. The platformmay determine in real time whether corrective action is required and/ormay take such corrective action. The platform can determine a confidenceinterval produced by the feedback data and whether such confidence levelis sufficient, potentially insuring the liability created by theproduction base on this result. For example, warranty parameters (e.g.,duration of warranty, scope of coverage) may be generated based uponquality assurance or other feedback data.

Ancillary applications for certification can provide integratedcertification of the object based on the confidence produced throughremote quality assurance processes and/or from analysis of the design.The platform can identify required object characteristics and designintention (e.g., strength bearing on certain axes) based upon manualinput and/or computer vision identification of the object in conjunctionwith databases of required characteristics for such an object, data onsimilar previous objects produced, and/or information about the clientor the production device manager etc. (such as their industry). Theplatform may then employ finite element analysis techniques to determinewhether the object design matches the identified requiredcharacteristics. The platform may edit the design, if permitted, tocorrect or provide any missing characteristics. The platform may monitorproduction, such as through remote quality assurance, to ensure that theproduction of the object actually produces such characteristics. Theplatform can then provide certification for the object from certifyingagencies based on the foregoing evaluation of the object.

Ancillary applications for indexing can use computer vision (e.g.,relation of voxels) to categorize objects, understand objectcharacteristics, and/or save object characteristics in one or moredatabases. Object characteristics can include a class or general type ofan object (e.g., a mug) or a required orientation in the productiondevice, to name a few. The platform may modify characteristics, such asthe orientation, as may be required for device compatibility or betterproduction. Indexing may be used to associate design objects tohistorical production data for similar objects, such as the productiondevices that produced them and/or any errors that occurred orcorrections that were needed.

Ancillary applications for production analysis can include customerinterfaces to relay information known about an object. Such informationmay be determined automatically through the processes described hereinor may have been provided manually and stored in one or more databasethroughout the production process. Information about an object may beprovided in a variety of formats, including graphical representations.Information can include design modification, production status, and/orproduction quality, to name a few. The platform can provide suchinformation to a user through downloadable software designed tointegrate with the production management platform, website interfaces,email alerts, smart phone application alerts or push notifications, SMSalerts, and/or telephone calls, which may be generated automatically, toname a few.

Ancillary applications for failure reporting can provide alerts,notifications, and or reports of varying detail regarding errors duringa digital production process. Errors may be determined at the digitalproduction management platform, e.g., using data provided by aproduction device, reader device, other sensor, or computer orelectronic device associated with a production device or its operator.In embodiments, errors may be determined by the production deviceitself, a reader device, and/or a sensor device, to name a few. Theplatform can generate an alert, notification, and/or report based uponthe error data. The platform can transmit such alerts, notifications, orreports to a user electronic device (e.g., a computer, tablet computer,smart phone, telephone, mobile phone, PDA, TV, gaming console, to name afew) via email, text message phone call, and/or other communication(e.g., using the Internet or other data or messaging network). Inembodiments, failure reports can be accessed via downloadable softwareor a website. In embodiments, failure reports may contain optionsrelated to continuing or stopping production or making adjustments tothe design or to the production settings.

Ancillary applications for a management information system may beimplemented by the production management platform to receive, translate,and/or store information relating to an object's production. Theplatform can receive and stored all relevant data (feedback data fromproduction devices, input from production device owners, input fromdesign owners, etc.). For example, the platform can receive and storeobject characteristics, design data (including any modifications),production data (including status updates and any errors), to name afew. The platform can translate the received data into a common operablelanguage before storing the data, e.g., on a central server. Such datamay be accessed by the platform and/or used as input to machine learningalgorithms, as discussed herein. In embodiments, users, using one ormore computers, may query the databases of the management informationsystem to determine desired information. By translating the data fromdisparate sources into an interoperable data stream the platform canfacilitate access and use of the data.

Ancillary applications for order tracking can determine productionstatus information and/or provide updates of status information. Theproduction management platform can receive feedback data from aproduction device indicating the status of production. Production statusinformation may be generated by the platform, such as during thepre-production process (e.g., analyzing design for watertightcharacteristics). Status information can include which steps of theproduction process are completed, which steps are on-going, and/or whichsteps are remaining. In embodiments, as an object is in the process ofphysical production, a computer-generated representation of the portionalready produced can be generated and provided to a user. Such a statusrepresentation can be provided in real time or near real time. Thequantity can also be tracked for orders where more than one instance ofan object are being produced. The platform can also track the locationsof produced objects, e.g., within a production facility, and/or shippingstatus.

Ancillary applications for post-production data collection can receive,aggregate, and/or store data obtained after the production of an object.Such data can include usage information or durability information suchas wear and tear of an object, to name a few. The production managementplatform may provide an interface for manual input of such data and/ormay employ sensors (e.g., intelligent embedded sensors inserted duringproduction and transmitting information themselves) to obtainpost-production data. Post-production information may be combined withthe production data and/or stored separately (e.g., in a separatedatabase) but associated with the other data (e.g., through a commonidentifier). The platform can thus use the post-production to improveprocesses such as certification, quality assurance, and/or to improvedesign or production decisions.

Ancillary applications for warranty management can generate warrantyinformation based upon the object data and predicted usage. The platformcan identify estimated usage characteristics (e.g., life span) andprovide (directly or through third parties) an insurance product tocover all or a portion of the object.

Ancillary applications for read/write steganography can involve applyingphysical steganography or watermarks onto 3-D objects in order to encodereadable, useful information. During an object design file'spre-production processing, the platform can introduce slightmodifications (e.g., small bumps or small indentations on the object'ssurface) into or onto the object design that do not affect functionalitybut provide information about the object when detected and read off ofthe physical object after production. A specialized reader device mayallow detection and/or reading of such steganographic physicalmodifications. For example, this stenographic modification cancommunicate information about the object's production (e.g., when it wasproduced, by whom, whether it was produced with authorization from thedesign owner, whether the object was certified, and/or a serial number,to name a few). The stenographic modification can also indicateinformation about the design owner (e.g., design owner identity).Stenographic modification can provide a critical tool in protectingproprietary designs and/or policing unauthorized production.

With regards to the present invention, the many features and advantagesof the present invention are apparent from the written description, andthus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such featuresand advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationas illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of theinvention. It is noted that regarding the elements described in thefigures, that more than one element number may be used (for instance,Design Owner(s) is referred to as both 101 and 201), and sometimes evenwith no element numbers. It should be apparent from the description whenthe same or similar or equivalent elements are described, even if suchfigure numbers should differ.

Various elements of the invention are described as modules implementedas software on a general purpose computer and others as hardwareelements. In should be apparent that in various embodiments of theinvention, implementation of software can be executed by embeddedhardware, or vice versa, or in some combination of software andhardware. Also, a computer may take the form of an integrated circuit,printed circuit board, handheld computer, or any general-purposecomputer without limitation.

The invention may be implemented by one or more computers or computersystems, embedded circuitry, and/or some combination of these. Thesoftware execution may be accomplished through the use of a programstorage device readable by the computer and encoding a program ofinstructions executable by the computer for performing the operationsdescribed above. The program storage device may take the form of anymemory known in the art or subsequently developed. The program ofinstructions may be object code, i.e., in binary form that is executablemore-or-less directly by the computer; in source code that requirescompilation or interpretation before execution; or in some intermediateform such as partially compiled code and/or a collection of executablelibrary files. The precise forms of the program storage device and ofthe encoding of instructions are immaterial here.

The invention also contemplates use of computer networks known in theart, including but not limited to, intranets such as corporate networks,local and wide area networks, the Internet and the World Wide Web. Wireand wireless communication and communication protocols known is the art,such as, but not limited to, radio, infrared, Bluetooth, Ethernet andother wireless and wired networks, are also contemplated. In the variousflowcharts, preferred embodiments of flow direction between elements,looping and iteration are illustrated, but alternative embodiments ofthese flows are contemplated by the invention. Any elements or otherfeatures described in the figures, even if not described in thespecification, are supported in the figures so as to be enabling.

The invention discloses novel concepts and implementation, including,but not limited to safe data transfer, remote monitoring, frauddetection, authentication and steganography, peer-to-peer architectureand other aspects of additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing,extrusion manufacturing, melting manufacturing, solidificationmanufacturing, ejection manufacturing, other material printing, andother processes. All references cited here are incorporated in theirentirety for all purposes.

FIG. 1 100 illustrates a preferred embodiment overall flow of the ObjectData File 113 and Object 116 between the original Design Owner(s) 101and the End Consunner(s) 110 of the Object 116, where the SystemPlatform 103 acts as an intermediary. Note that the Object 116 refers tothe actual physical object that is produced and/or printed by theinvention. To start the process, the Design Owner(s) 101 supplies theSystem Platform 103 with the Object Data File(s) 113 it desires tolicense. This file is taken through the Data Readiness Module 102(method described in FIGS. 4A and 4B) in order to be modified andconverted into a form that is understandable by the Production Device107. The newly created Object Design File 114 is then stored by theSystem Platform, or as an alternative, by the Design Owner(s) 101.Users, such as the Production Device Owners 105, can browse for desiredObject Data Files 113 by interfacing with the System Platform 103 andthen acquire them through the Order Progress Module 104 (methoddescribed in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D). When the Owner of the ProductionDevice decides to utilize the acquired Object Data File to produce theObject, encrypted pieces of the Object Production File are streamed tothe Production Device, translated by the Send & Receive Module 106(method described in FIG. 8), and monitored (e.g., simultaneously) forunauthorized actions and production quality using Sensor Device(s) 108(method described in FIG. 10) as described in the Production DataMonitoring (PDM) Module 109 (method described in FIGS. 6, 6B, and 6C).Before object production ends, the object is produced with a uniquephysical signature, confirming its authenticity, which does not affectthe function of the object. Finally, when the Object 116 is in the handsof the End Consunner(s) 110, verification that the Object 116 is of theoriginal owner's design and that it was produced to the correctspecifications can be achieved through the use of the Reader Device 111(see FIG. 11), and the Authentication Module 112 (method described inFIG. 7). The Authentication Module calls upon three submodules calledthe Reader Module, (method described in FIG. 7a ), the Scanning Module(method described in FIG. 7b ), and the Signature Reading Module (methoddescribed in FIG. 7c ) each of which performs an important function insecurely verifying the object's authenticity.

FIG. 2 200 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the overall view of thesystem and processes, which emphasizes the system architecture. In thisdesign, all information is centrally held on the System Platform 208(equal to 103), to which the Design Owner(s) 201 transfers allinformation. In an alternative embodiment of the same design, the DesignOwner may also continue to hold the information. This option is detailedin FIG. 3. The Design Owner(s) 201 could represent one of a multitude ofowners contributing to a single Object Design, which the platformrecords as such in a hierarchy of ownership. All modules (processes) areexecuted on the System Platform. The Data Readiness Module 202 processesthe incoming information, and the Order Progress Module 206 manages andprocesses order requests issued by Owners of Object Production Devices211. The resulting production on the Production Devices is achieved byreceiving streamed design data from the System Platform. Production ismonitored through the Production Data Monitoring (PDM) Module 109/207,which receives production state data from Sensor Devices 203 as well asthe Production Device through the Send & Receive Module 213,specifically the Production Device Send & Receive Module (methoddescribed in FIG. 8c ) and the Sensor Device Send & Receive Module(method described in FIG. 8b ), respectively. Meanwhile all generatedinformation is stored in Databases 205, and both Design Owner(s) 201 aswell as End Consumers of Objects 209 are informed of key developments inline with the hierarchy of ownership. Any user with a Reader Device 212may also authenticate the object by using a Reader Device or similar toactivate and conduct the Authentication Module 204.

FIG. 3 300 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an alternativeembodiment of the system architecture described in FIG. 2. The maindifference from FIG. 2 is that this embodiment assumes that mostinformation continues to be held by the Design Owner(s) 306 that enablesthem to remain in control of this information and share it directly withrequesting buyers. Accordingly, a plurality of computer systems, whichmay be associated with different design owners, may serve as productionengines for providing digital production data to one or more productiondevices. In embodiments, a digital production management platform mayroute or otherwise provide routing instructions for data transmissionsbetween such computer systems and production devices. This can bedescribed as a mostly peer-to-peer (P2P) version of the server-clientmodel illustrated in FIG. 2. Note that the Design Owners(s) 306 can alsoinclude, or be instead, proxies or nominees of the Design Owners. Inparticular, the Design Owner(s) 306 continues to remain in control ofthe Data Readiness Module 308 b and only allows the System Platform 312to undertake actions associated with the module it cannot or does notwish to execute. Similarly, the Design Owner(s) 306 has the choice toexecute on its equipment all or part of the Authentication Module 304 b,for which it may or may not interact with a Reader Device 312. It canalso limit the access to the Authentication Module and Databases 305 bfor limited range users and Reader Devices. Accordingly, the platformmay create or administer a multi-tiered access system, e.g., for designfile owners or for production device operators, to name a few. Finally,the Design Owner(s) 306 may also decide to control the Production DataMonitoring (PDM) Module 307 b and the associated control to SensorDevices and the data received from Production Devices 310 for thispurpose. It controls which data is stored on its Databases 305 b, or onthe Databases 305 a of the System Platform 312. The Order ProgressModule 302 continues to be controlled by the System Platform and anycommunication with Owners of Production Devices 311 and End Consumers ofObjects 309 may be managed by either the System Platform or the DesignOwner(s).

FIGS. 4A and 4B 400 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the DataReadiness Module 102 that verifies if an Object Data File 113 from theDesign Owner(s) 101 is in the proper form to be produced by theProduction Device 107 and then takes action to modify the file if it isnot. Additionally, the module can enhance the object design byoptimizing object properties like material used, strength orflexibility. The method of the Data Readiness Module 306 is executed bythe System Platform 103. In one embodiment of the invention, the SystemPlatform 103 sits on the Design Owner(s) side of the network (shown as306). In another embodiment, the System Platform 103 sits on theproduction side of the network (shown as 312). If there is a multitudeof incoming requests to prepare an Object Data File through the DataReadiness Module, these may be handled by a queuing system, byautomatically expanding server capacity, or by identifying similarcalculation patterns and merging production of multiple different fileproduction events. To start the process, the System Platform 103receives the Object Data File 113 from the central Design Owner(s) 401and evaluates the file type 402. During this process additionalcharacteristics of the Object Data File, as well as the underlyingobject represented therein can also be analyzed and correspondingactions may be suggested or taken. The underlying object may beidentified by analyzing the Object Data File without additionalinformation provided. An example of additional characteristics that maybe determined is the identification of whether the underlying object isregistered on a black list, such as a list of export controlled objects.Additionally, further processing decisions, such as the selection of themethod of conversion to an Object Production File, may be derived atleast in part from the identified characteristics. Further automaticallyidentified characteristics may also reveal design intention and/ordetermine the way in which the object is to be set up in the ProductionDevice, amongst others. If the file is not in a proper digital designform or rather is not an Object Design File 114, the file is convertedto a proper digital design form that then contains all informationneeded to be later converted into an Object Production File 115 andproduced 406. Next the Object Design File is checked for the GlobalDigital Signature and/or Specific Digital Signature embedded in allobject files that are produced through the present invention 430. Suchsignatures may be digital watermarks. In the event that a design file isstolen and then subsequently submitted to the System Platform 103 in thehope of attaining legitimizing features, these signatures can expose thefile, which may be only one of the features of these signatures, asdescribed herein. The System Platform 103 will then make a decision 431of ending the module process 432 or executing a number of other possibleprocesses 433 such as issuing a notification to the Design Owner(s) 101or seeking a manual decision. Next the Object Design File 114 isanalyzed to ensure that the design has integrity 404. For example, inadditive manufacturing and other manufacturing and printing processes,the System Platform 103 may check that the object design is closed, hasno gaps in the surface mesh (e.g., water tight), manifold (edges are notshared between more than two surfaces), and surface normals are correct(pointing in correct direction). If a fault in the design is identified407, it is then determined whether the design can be automaticallyadjusted to fix the fault 408. If so, the adjustment is made 411. Ifautomatic adjustment is not possible, the Object Design File 114 is sentto an external entity to be manually edited 410 and is returned uponcompletion 409. At any point in this process where subsequent edits aremade to the object design, the new design may be returned to the DesignOwner(s) 101 for approval to ensure that there are no undesired effects.Now that the file type and design integrity have been verified, thethird step is to automatically and simultaneously optimize both theamount of material comprising the design and other specific functionalproperties of the object 413, within specified constraints 414 on thesevariables, which primes the design for optional optimization during theOrder Progress Module 104 method of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. Duringthis modification of the object design file to achieve enhanced objectproperties, it is also possible to embed in the objects structure,composition, or any number of object properties a pattern, code orsignature that will tell the end object owner, once the object isproduced, something significant about the object. This method ofinformation embedding could serve the same purpose as that of the GlobalPhysical Signature that is described in the Order Progress Module 104method of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. It can be used to preventunauthorized copying. If the automatic optimization returns an error orfor any other reason is not able to choose optimal material usage andfunction property values, the file is sent to an external entity to bemanually optimized 415 and is returned upon completion 416. Next, theobject design is analyzed again to ensure that, due to themodifications, the design is not now physically impossible to produce(has design integrity) 417. If a fault is found 419, the file is eitherautomatically adjusted 421 or, if not possible, sent externally to bemanually edited 422 and received upon completion 423, as describedpreviously. At this point a Global Digital Signature, specified by thePlatform 429, is embedded in the file 434 which can serve a number ofpurposes from giving the file identification with the Platform tocausing the file to be unusable by non-authorized parties. A GlobalDigital Signature may be a digital watermark in the object design file,which may identify the file, e.g., as having previously interacted withthe Platform 429. A Global Digital Signature may comprise one or moredigits or characters inserted into a file or a particular portion of afile, such as a header or another less predictable location in the file.Subsequently, the file is compressed 424 and, after all the objectcharacteristics are identified 425, if possible, these characteristics,the Object Design File, and each iteration thereof created during theData Readiness Module are all saved on the platform and stored inrespective Database 205/305.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D 500 illustrates a preferred embodiment of theOrder Progress Module 104 method, the process taken by the Owner(s) 101of the Object Production Devices 105 to obtain a desired ObjectProduction File 115 from the System Platform 103. This module isgenerally the only one permanently hosted by the System Platform 103.The Owner(s) of the Object Production Devices have the ability to issuesearch commands to the System Platform Database 501 through a variety ofmethods including, but not limited to, submitting an object picture ortechnical drawing, outdated product number, or a number of other searchparameters as required. Once the System Platform 103 receives the searchrequest, it searches the databases 502, and in the event of not beingable to find the object 503 issues a notification to the user 504. Ifthe object has been found, the next step is to verify the identity ofthe user 505 through a password or other identifying User Information506. If the identity of the user cannot be verified, he or she isprovided the opportunity to register 508. Next, the System Platform 103identifies the user's Production Device 510, which is achieved byestablishing a secure connection to the device 509 and matching thedevice's unique identifier and settings with those recorded in theSystem Platform Database of Unique Production Device IDs 511. The secureconnection can enable secure multi-channel communication between theProduction Device and the System Platform. These channels may consist ofa channel for design data, a channel for feedback data, a channel forProduction Device control information, to name a few. In embodiments,the channels may be communicated through the same communicationinfrastructure or medium. In embodiments, channels may identify a sourceand destination of a communication or series of communications (e.g.,data communications). In embodiments where channels have commondestinations and sources, the channels may comprise portions of a singlecommunication or set of communications, portions of a communicationpathway, and/or the same communication or set of communications. If theProduction Device has produced the object before from this specificobject file, then the process can follow the Option 1 Path 513 andproduction can begin immediately. If not, then the process must followOption 2 Path 514 which has several steps before production can begin.

The first step in the Option 2 Path is to verify if the object iscompatible with the Production Device, in other words, can it beproduced by the given Production Device 515. If not, a notification isissued to the user 516. If so, the user's qualifications are thenchecked 517 and if they do not meet the minimum User QualificationRequirements 518 such as having the correct permit to produce the objector having no record of illegal activity then the user will be sent analert 520 with a set of steps they could take to meet the minimumqualifications, and the production environment identified issimultaneously saved in the respective database 530. If minimumqualifications are met, the user is issued an invoice 521 and given theopportunity to purchase the Object Design File 114. If the user opts notto buy, he or she is given the opportunity to receive information aboutthe Object Design File 114, which allows the user to see some facsimileand/or useful information about the object 524 but does not allow him orher to produce the object 524. If the user chooses to buy the file, heor she is asked to complete the payment process 526. Alternatively,depending on a variety of factors, the user may be able to complete thepayment process at a later stage, for example immediately before theAuthentication Physical Signature is applied at this end of this entireprocess or afterwards. Upon the user's completion, the System Platform103 checks the user's payment history 527 and if the user is not in goodstanding, an alert is sent to the user 529, possibly with steps on howto return to good standing. There is an override possibility to thisfunction and all other verification steps, which can be issued by anyauthorized party. If the user is in good standing, then all verificationsteps on the user have been completed and a Global Physical Signature isinserted 532 into the Object Design File 114 determined by certainsystem and user parameters 533. This Global Physical Signature will be ahard-to-remove physical indicator in the produced object itself thatwill tell an End Consumer that the object was produced on this inventionSystem Platform 103 using the given Object Design File 114, among otherpossible information. It is important to note that this signature is notunique to the specific instance of an object's production, like theAuthentication Physical Signature applied after object production andthus not as complex. The Authentication Physical Signature can be aphysical watermark specific to the instance of the object that tells theEnd Consumer if it was produced to the correct specifications and thecorrect quality. It may be inserted during or immediately followingproduction or added later after production is monitored (e.g., afterquality assurance is assessed, which may involve the use of sensor orreader devices, as described herein). Next the file is compressed 534,all object characteristics are identified where possible 535, and thisnew form of the Object Design File 114, along with the objectcharacteristics are saved in the Platform Databases 536/567. Then theuser is given the choice 538 of producing the file immediately orexiting the module 539 and returning to produce the object at a latertime 540. If the user chooses to continue onto production, the next stepis to identify the user's Required Size 542/541 which they could havespecified during the earlier order process or now, and compare it tothat of the current Object Design file. If the Object Design File sizeis not correct, it is automatically adjusted 545 taking care to stillmonitor the design's integrity. Next designs for non-object supportstructures or rather any physical piece that is not part of the finalobject but is needed for production to occur (such as dissolvablesupport legs in polymer additive manufacturing) are added to the ObjectDesign File 546. Next, the file is embedded with a Specific DigitalSignature, specific to this instance of producing this design file 547.This signature serves a similar purpose as the earlier stated GlobalDigital Signature but can communicate more specific information such asthe production date and/or an identifying number or sequence ofcharacters, to name a few. Finally the Object Design File 114 isconverted into an Object Production File 115 548 which is a file in theimmediate print-ready form or language utilized by the ProductionDevice. Subsequently, the Object Production File 115 and a compressedform of the file are saved to the Platform's Database 549/550.

Now actual file transfer to the Production Device and productioninitializations begins. Firstly, the user is issued a test production551 which allows the user to produce an object with inherent highlightsthat are only distinguishable once the production is complete, on his orher Production Device 107 while the Production Data Monitoring Module109 is simultaneously executed 553. If the test production is producedsuccessfully, as verified by the data received through the ProductionData Monitoring Module 109, or the test is initially not successful butis fixed through the automatically generated solution 554, thenproduction of the actual object can begin. If it is not producedsuccessfully and no automatic solution can be applied, an alert is sentto the user with steps to take to remedy the issue 556. Now, at thispoint in the process where production is soon-to-be initiated 557, theOption 2 Path 514 finally catches up with the Option 1 Path 513.Continuing on, production is initiated by sending part of the ObjectProduction File 115 to the user's Production Device 558, performing thesteps detailed in the Production Data Monitoring Module 109 (methoddescribed in FIGS. 6, 6B, and 6C) 559 and then continuously repeateduntil the object production is complete 560. The design owner, e.g.,using software or a website to interface with a digital productionmanagement platform, can set criteria to govern whether to allow thereprint of the object based upon certain criteria or the satisfaction ornon-satisfaction thereof, such as if the object production has not beenmarked as complete, if less than 100% of the object production data hasbeen transferred, the existence or degree of trust established with theuser, whether a minimum percentage of the object has already beenproduced, whether production device feedback indicated a fault, and/or anumber of other criteria. These criteria can be applied fluently withoutadditional input from the design owner during production. For instance,a design owner may decide to permit reprints if less than 90% of theobject design data has been transferred while another may decide thatthe limit is 70%. Such limits or other criteria may be input by thedesign owner into the digital production management platform (e.g.,using a website interface), stored in one or more databases (e.g., adatabase of user settings), and/or programmed into computer code used bythe production management platform to control reprinting. The productionisn't fully complete until the Authentication Physical Signature isgenerated 561 and produced as part of the object, which only occurs ifthe object was produced with the correct specifications and full paymentis received. If the payment process is completed successfully 562, thenthe Authentication Physical Signature, usually in the form of a finallayer of the object, is sent to the Production Device 565. Additionally,an invoice 564 and notification 568 is sent to the user while theproduction occurrence is recorded in the System Platform Databases 567.

FIGS. 6, 6B, and 6C 600 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the methodof the Production Data Monitoring Module 109, which is referenced duringthe Order Progress Module 104 (method described in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and5D). This method involves continuously collecting real-time objectproduction information via Sensor Devices 108 and the Production Device107, verifying correct production by comparing with expected results,and then allowing the Order Progress Module 104 to continue iterativelydelivering pieces of the Object Production File 115 from the SystemPlatform 103 to the Production Device 107, via the System Platform Send& Receive Module (method described in FIG. 8d 800d ). In embodiments,monitoring may be performed periodically. The module begins by theSystem Platform 103 or Design Owner(s) 101 receiving and saving 603object production data collected by the Sensor Devices or the ProductionDevice, sent through the Sensor Device Send & Receive Module (methoddescribed in FIG. 8b 800b ) 602 and the Printer Device Send & ReceiveModule (method described in FIG. 8c 800c ) 601, respectively. Thisinformation is then compared to a database of Expected States 604 thatcorresponds to the specific stages of production 605. The generation ofthese Expected States is further described in FIG. 6b and is subject toa Margin of Error 607, whose generation is described in item FIG. 6c .If the data is found to be within the Margin of Error 606, then theerror level, which is a score based on the difference between the datareceived and the base state expected, is saved 608. Next, a runningtotal of error levels is computed 625, and then compared to AcceptableLimits 609, which are determined either manually or otherwise 610. If itis found to be within Acceptable Limits, then the process is returned tothe Order Progress Module (method described in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D500) to continue the process of sending & receiving pieces of the ObjectDesign File to be produced. Once production of the object piece iscomplete, this PDM Module method is started again and processing datafrom both Sensor Devices 602 and Production Devices 601 resumes afresh.This process continues until either the production completes orunacceptable production error is found, whichever comes first. It isimportant to note that the Production Device Send & Receive Module(method described in FIG. 8c 800c ) and the Sensor Send & Receive Module677 (method described in FIG. 8b 800b ) are both utilized in order forthe System Platform 103 to receive data from these respective devicessecurely through a process of encryption, decryption, and embeddedcodified digital signatures.

Now moving on to look at the alternative path, if the data received isnot within the Margins of Error 607, then it is determined whether thisis the first time that such an infraction has been noticed 613. If thisis indeed the case then an alert is issued 614 to the Owners of theProduction devices 105, the End Consumers of the Object 209, thePlatform managers and any other interested and authorized parties. Thealert must be responded to 617 by the predetermined authorized user(s)within a predetermined 615 Delay Length 616 with a Manual Order 617. Ifthe alert is not answered within this delay time period 618, if thepresent event is not the first infraction 613, or if the cumulativetotal error level exceeds acceptable limits 612, then the production ofthe device is paused 620 and interested parties alerted 622. Theauthorized user(s) can still issue a Manual Order after this point. Ifthe order is to continue 621 then the production module resumes and theprocessing of data from both Sensor Devices 602 and Production Devices601 resumes afresh, continuously looping throughout the above describedprocess. If the manual order is not to continue, then the process musteither be ended 624 or another process executed 675, which could be anarray of actions. For instance, it could be desired to allow the user tocontinue printing the piece when his or her fraudulency is known inorder to be led to other infringers; there are many possibilities.

FIG. 6b 600b illustrates a preferred embodiment of the process ofdetermining the Expected State 604. To do so, many object productiondata sets received from external production devices of similar types 649is averaged together 650 after possibly being sorted, weighted andotherwise processed 651. This data is combined with data from TestProduction Devices 653, which are operated under tightly controlledconditions, as well as with data from object production simulations653/654. In embodiments, an Expected State 604 may comprise expectedfeedback data. An Expected State 604 may be determined based at least inpart upon historical data, test data, data received or accessed fromexternal databases, and/or data derived from any of the foregoing, toname a few.

FIG. 6c 600c illustrates a preferred embodiment of how the Margins ofError 607 are computed. They result both from the addition of ManualOrders 672 with the expected Errors of Sensors 671 previously detectedor otherwise known, and from the Data from External Sensor Devices 670.As more objects are produced, the amount of available data increaseswhich increases certainty held in the calculated Expected State 604 thatallows the margin of error to be adjusted. Permissible Margins of Error607 may depend on the type of object produced, designer requirements,previous and/or current feedback from production devices or sensordevices, geography, and/or environmental conditions, to name a few.

FIG. 7 700 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the AuthenticationModule 112 method, the process that the Reader Device 111 follows toevaluate object-specific information which either validates or deniesthe Object's 116 authenticity. To begin the process, users, whom arelikely the End Consunner(s) 110, use the Reader Device to collectobject-specific information through the Scanning Module (methoddescribed in FIG. 7b ) 701, and then convey this information, throughuse of the Reader Send & Receive Module 715 (method described in FIG. 8a), to the System Platform 103 which can determine if there is anEngagement Signal 702. Alternatively the identification of theEngagement Signal can occur on the device 702 without sending data tothe System Platform 103, yet this is less secure and thus usually a lessdesirable option. The Engagement Signal is required to begin the ReaderModule method (FIG. 7a ) and it may be a variety of object-specificinformation, including a steganography surface layer that was addedduring the object's production or specific material properties of theobject. If an Engagement Signal has not been identified 703, then theprocess loops back continuously to complete another informationcollection 701, until either an Engagement Signal has been identified orthe user aborts the Authentication Module process. If an EngagementSignal is identified, then the full information set is sent, using theReader Send & Receive Module 714, to the System Platform 103 whichprocesses the data to identify all object features 704. This objectfeature identification process can also be conducted on the ReaderDevice itself, depending on user or Design Owner requirements 713. Anadditional possible feature is to send much unneeded data or even fakedata along with the needed information data set in order to disguise thetype of content being relayed; leaving information out can be asrevealing as displaying the protected information within. Datatransmissions may be encrypted. Once all object features have beenidentified and this information has been transferred on to the SystemPlatform 103 (represented here in 705) or retained on the device 712,depending on which user chooses, the Reader Module (method described inFIG. 7a ) is deployed 706 which analyzes the collected object featureinformation to determine object authenticity. After this process iscompleted, if the object authenticity cannot be conclusively determined,notifications are sent to all relevant users 708, results are sent backto the reader 709, and a log entry of the event is recorded on thePlatform's databases 711. Conversely, if the object's authenticity canbe confirmed, a log entry of the event is also recorded 711, informationis conveyed to all associated users 710, and relevant information issent to the Reader Device 709. Such notifications or other datatransmitted to a user or to a digital production management platform cancomprise, at least in part, feedback data.

FIG. 7a 700 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a Reader Module, asub-process of the Authentication Module 112 that involves the SystemPlatform 113 checking object-specific information collected by theReader Device 111 to verify the Object's 116 authenticity. The Platformdoes so by receiving the object-specific information 716 from the ReaderDevice 709 through the Reader Send & Receive Module such as the coloringof the object, information related to object steganography or any otherobject feature that can be identified without touching the object. ThePlatform then analyzes this information starting with the Object'ssurface & material feature information 717, then conducts the SignatureReading Module method (described in FIG. 7c ) to analyze codified and/orhidden signatures 718, and lastly analyzes other remaining information727. With each analysis stage, the Platform verifies receivedinformation by referencing information on the Platforms Database'sspecific to the given Object 116. If the object features(s) have notbeen identified, then more information will be requested 719, 724, 729which, if provided, will loop the process back to re-check the givenobject feature(s). After a number of iterations without successfulverification, the entire process can be aborted 720, 725, 730 and anotification is then sent to all interested parties 721, 726, 731. Thisis an important step for fraud detection. Similar to an ATM PIN codethat is limited to a number of tries, our invention can tighten securityand red flag possible infringers. If identification has been positive,then the process is ended by sending notifications to the Reader Deviceand all relevant users 740. All events and information compiled duringthis process is logged on the Platform Databases 205/305.

FIG. 7b 700b details the process highlighted in 701, by whichinformation of the object is collected by the Scanning Module. Themodule method reacts to a manual issue to scan 701 b by requestinginformation about the part to be scanned 702 b and issuing positioninginformation 703 b, which directs the user as to the way in which thereader must be placed in relation to the object or any otherinstructions related to the reading of the object. Once this stage iscomplete, the reading is conducted through one of multiple readersensors 704 b. The level of information obtained is then considered forcompleteness 706 b by either the System Platform 103 after being sentthere 705 b through the Reader Send & Receive Module Method FIG. 8b orretained on the device 709 b. If the information received is notsufficient then the process is repeated until the information issufficient. In each iteration of this repetition, the positioninginformation may be changed 708 b. Once sufficient information isreceived FIG. 7 700 is continued.

FIG. 7c 700c represents the Signature Reading Module Method, whichdescribes how encoded information is received 701 c, decoded 702 b andrelevant features identified 703 c. Once these have been identified theyare compared 705 c to a database of expected features 704 c, based onthe type of object and other information. Upon completion, FIG. 7a 700acontinues.

FIG. 8 800 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the Send & ReceiveModule 106 method which displays a general form of the more specificsub-modules: the Reader Send & Receive Module (method described in FIG.8b ), the Sensor Send & Receive Module (method described in FIG. 7b ),and the Production Device Send & Receive Module method described in FIG.7c . This module is referenced in the Production Data Monitoring Module(method described in FIGS. 6, 6B, and 6C) and the Authentication Module(method described in FIG. 7) and is required to convey informationsecurely in between the remotely-located Platform and utilized deviceslike the Reader Device 111, Sensor Device 108, and Production Device107.

In FIG. 8a , this Reader Send & Receive Module method begins by thedevice filtering out the desired information from all theobject-specific information collected 801 a and adding a Signature tothis filtered information 802 a. This Signature on the data itselfenables verification of the data's authenticity later on by thePlatforms and ensures that the data's origins lie with this readerdevice and have not been tampered with. This data is then encrypted 803a and a secure connection is established between the Reader Device andthe System Platform 103 (represented here as 804 a). On connection, ifthe System Platform 103 can identify the Reader Device as an authenticdevice 805 a, then data transfer can begin 808 a. If it cannot beidentified, then the process is aborted and notification are sent toreader and other relevant parties 807 a. Upon successful reception ofdata by the System Platform 103, the data is decrypted 809 a and thedata's Signature(s) identified 810 a. If the Signature(s) is notidentified 811 a, then the process is aborted and notifications are sentto all interested parties 812 a. If it is identified, then allverification processes have then been completed and the Platforms nowhas confidence in the authenticity of the data and that it comes fromthe scanning of a produced Object. The Platforms then proceeds with thespecific case purpose of sending the data in the first place 813 a.Throughout this process all information and events are logged on thePlatforms databases.

FIG. 8b 800b illustrates a preferred embodiment of the Sensor Send &Receive Module method. This method describes the process of encrypting &sending collected information on object production from the SensorDevice(s) 108 to the System Platform 103 and the System Platform 103receiving and decrypting the information to verify correct, authorizedobject production.

FIG. 8c 800c illustrates a preferred embodiment of the Production DeviceSend & Receive Module method. This method describes the process ofencrypting & sending collected information on object production from theProduction Device 107 to the System Platform 103 and the System Platform103 receiving and decrypting the information to verify correct,authorized object production.

FIG. 8d 800d illustrates a preferred embodiment of the System PlatformSend & Receive Module method. This method describes the process ofencrypting & sending parts of the Object Production File 115 to theProduction Device 107 from the System Platform 103 and the ProductionDevice 107 receiving & decrypting the file part to be used in objectproduction. In this Method, a part of the Object Production File 801 dis selected to which a Digital Signature is added 802 d. This data isthen encrypted 808 d and the connection to the Production Device secured804 d, as described in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. Once the ProductionDevice has been identified 805 d, the transmission of the data begins808 d, whereby the Method can automatically decide whether, for howlong, and how much of the part of the Object Production File shall besaved locally on the Production Device or otherwise (e.g., an externalnon-transitory computer-readable storage device, such as an externalhard drive). This process may entail determination of a required oroptimal buffer. This decision can be influenced by the processing speedof the Production Device, the extent of data being shared, the timetaken to establish the initial connection, the data transfer speed,perceived safety, data security considerations, and/or other factors, toname a few. Buffer size calculation may entail a weighing of multiplefactors. Before use, the data is decrypted 809 d, the digital signatureidentified 810 d and if these processes have been completed correctly,further processing is completed 813 b, respectively the Order ProgressModule process is continued as described in FIGS. 6, 6B, and 6C.

FIG. 9 900 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a reader device withwhich an object can be scanned with a variety of sensors to authenticatesaid objects. It consists of a number of sensors at the top of thedevice 901 that measure an object either by scanning the object at adistance to identify shape and external features or touching the objectto identify material and other object features that are internal to theobject. Information is displayed on the touch screen 902, through whichcommands can also be issued. Further commands can be issue via a button903, which is located on the handlebar 904. The device can communicatewirelessly or by being connected to a host through the port 905. Thedevice also includes a range of processors that allow it to conduct theprocesses described in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 1000 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a sensor device thatcan be used to monitor production of objects. It can be placed eitherinside the production machines in order to measure the internalenvironment or in the same room as the production machines to measurethe external environment. The device consists of a range of sensors 1002surrounded by hard casing 1001. The internal sensors measureenvironmental factors that do not require visual measurement, includingseismic effects (e.g., tremors), temperature, and other factors. Theexternal sensors 1005, measure factors such as the status of the objectproduction, pollution and other factors that require direct visualmeasurement. The sensors may also measure material quality. The deviceincludes a small screen 1006 to aid interaction with users and displaythe device state, as well as a button 1004, which allows the user toissue commands on prompt. To communicate with its host, the sensordevice includes a port 1003, as well as wireless communicationcapability.

FIG. 11 1100 is a legend of elements in the other figures.

Now that embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon canbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, theexemplary embodiments of the present invention, as set forth above, areintended to be illustrative, not limiting. The spirit and scope of thepresent invention is to be construed broadly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for digital production, the systemcomprising: one or more digital production devices for manufacturing athree-dimensional object; and a digital production management platformcomprising one or more processors and at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable memory, wherein the digital production managementplatform is configured to: receive a first data stream comprising anobject design file, the object design file comprising a digitalsignature embedded within the object design file, wherein the digitalsignature contains at least one of a production date and an identifyingcode; confirm that production is authorized based on the digitalsignature; securely stream a second data stream to at least one of theone or more digital production devices, the second data streamcomprising a first portion of the received object design file, whereinthe first portion of the received object design file comprisesproduction instructions; securely stream a third data stream to at leastone of the one or more digital production devices, the third data streamcomprising a second portion of the received object design file, whereinthe second portion of the object design file is streamed after detectingthe absence of the first portion of the object design file on the atleast one or more digital production devices or after receiving aconfirmation of removal of the first portion of the object design filefrom the one or more digital production devices; receive a feedback datastream from the one or more digital production devices comprising atleast digital production status data; and track and determine thegenealogy of a material used for manufacturing the three-dimensionalobject.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the genealogy comprises atleast one of: original material supplied; actions on the material andthe results of the actions, wherein the actions comprise at least one oftesting, sieving, and blending; print or production; and tests onsubsequent builds, wherein the genealogy is displayable in a visualformat allowing for a variable view of the genealogy, including a formatending with the material or beginning with the material, wherein thegenealogy provides for tracing the material to an individual part. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback data stream from thesoftware is configured to provide at least one of current spacecapacity, current status, an ongoing action report, validation againstexpected values, analysis and confirmation whether all steps have beencompleted correctly, and any feedback from third parties to validate asupply chain based on data provided from manufacturing machines or fromsoftware that manages the manufacturing machines.
 4. The system of claim3, wherein all or a portion of the feedback data stream can be sharedwith a buyer and wherein the feedback data stream is configured toprovide an insurance product for the three-dimensional product.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the digital production management platform isconfigured to determine at least one of a buffer size and a type of datafor the second data stream based on at least one of the one or moredigital production devices' speed, an object design file size, aduration of a period of time to establish an initial connection with atleast one of the one or more digital production devices, and a digitalproduction device download speed.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein datafrom the feedback data stream is shared with a buyer only whenpredetermined conditions are met.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thedigital production management platform is configured to receive anobject design file that is not a non-three-dimensional manufacturablefile and convert the object design file automatically into athree-dimensional manufacturable file.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein, based on the object design file, material and testingrequirements, machines required for manufacture, process steps, machinesettings, and shipping requirements are automatically provided.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the digital production management platform isconfigured to generate a digital watermark to be inserted into theobject design file and to insert a physical watermark design into theobject design file, the watermark comprising at least one of raisedfeatures and indentations.
 10. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a reading device configured to detect physical designelements of a three-dimensional object, wherein the reading device isconfigured to authenticate the manufactured part by comparing detectedphysical design elements, printer data, and software data to thereceived object design file, wherein the physical design elements arecompared based at least in part upon at least one of design structure,material, and surface features and wherein the reading device isconfigured to detect a proprietary physical watermark.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the digital production management platform furthercomprises a first sensor configured to detect an environmental conditionincluding at least one of meteorological conditions, barometricpressure, seismic activity, temperature, humidity, and pollution and asecond sensor configured to detect material quality.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the first and second sensors are independently used tomonitor quality of the three-dimensional product.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the feedback data stream includes at least one ofproduction duration, digital production device connection quality, humaninput, production errors, authenticity data, environmental conditions,and digital production device settings.
 14. A system for digitalproduction, the system comprising: a plurality of digital productiondevices for manufacturing three-dimensional objects; and a digitalproduction management platform operatively connected to at least one ofthe plurality of digital production devices via a data network, thedigital production management platform comprising one or more processorsand at least one non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein thedigital production management platform is configured to: receive a firstdata stream comprising an object design file, the object design filecomprising a digital signature embedded within the object design file,wherein the digital signature contains at least one of a production dateand an identifying code; confirm that production is authorized based onthe digital signature; stream a second data stream to at least one ofthe plurality of digital production devices, the second data streamcomprising at least a first portion of the received object design file,wherein the at least a first portion of the received object design filecomprise production instructions; stream a third data stream to at leastone of the one or more digital production devices, the third data streamcomprising a second portion of the received object design file, whereinthe second portion of the object design file is streamed after detectingthe absence of the first portion of the object design file on the atleast one or more digital production devices or after receiving aconfirmation of removal of the first portion of the object design filefrom the one or more digital production devices; and receive a feedbackdata stream from the at least one digital production device comprisingat least digital production status data; and track and determine thegenealogy of a material used for manufacturing the three-dimensionalobject.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the digital productionmanagement platform is further configured to: receive an object designfile; determine compatibility of the object design file with theplurality of digital production devices; select a digital productiondevice from the plurality of digital production devices based on thecompatibility; determine suitable production device settings for theselected digital production device; and transmit the determinedproduction device settings stream the entire file of the processedobject design file to the selected digital production device.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, further comprising the digital production managementplatform being further configured to stream at least portions of theentire file of the processed object design file to the selected digitalproduction device.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the digitalproduction management platform is further configured to: process theobject design file to ensure compatibility with the selected productiondevice, wherein processing the object design file includes: identifyingobject design characteristics; ascertaining, from a database of objectdesign characteristics, historical object designs; and accessing, fromthe database of object design characteristics, historical productiondata from the production of the historical object designs.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein processing the object design file furtherincludes modifying the object design file based at least in part uponthe historical production data.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein thedigital production management platform is further configured to: storeobject design file data comprising the object design file, anymodifications performed thereto through processing, and productionfeedback data received from the feedback data stream.
 20. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the digital production management platform is furtherconfigured to: process the object design file to reduce the likelihoodof production errors; and store in one or more databases, object designfile data comprising the object design file, any modifications performedthereto through processing, and production feedback data received fromthe feedback data stream, wherein processing the object design fileincludes: identifying object design characteristics; ascertaining, froma database of object design characteristics, similar historical objectdesigns; accessing, from the database of object design characteristics,historical production data from the production of the similar historicalobject designs; modifying the object design file based at least in partupon the historical production data.